Two people napping in a parking lot got a rude awakening Friday afternoon. Belmont police responded to a 911 call about 1:35 p.m. The caller reported that there was a car running in the parking lot of Planet Fitness in Belmont with newspapers covering the windows.

Officers descended on the lot at 81 McAdenville Road. Two officers approached the Toyota 4Runner holding protective shields, according to Lt. Basil Marett.

The officers could see two people inside but little else. Firefighters came to the lot, and crime scene tape was used to rope off the area. With weapons drawn, officers ordered the couple to come out.

A man and a woman exited the vehicle. Police say that the pair had been sleeping in the parking lot. The car was running to charge one of the sleeper’s CPAP machine, a device worn by people with sleep apnea.

Officers took extreme caution in the situation because of the unknown, Marett said. There could’ve been a mobile meth lab or a suicide situation, he said.

“You just don’t run up and open doors,” said Marett.

Training teaches officers that safety is the top priority. He said officers took the proper steps to ensure the safety of the public, themselves and the car’s inhabitants.

“You don’t want to put anybody’s safety in danger,” he said.

Marett said he believes the couple was traveling and stopped for a nap.

No one was injured and no one was charged.

You can reach Diane Turbyfill at 704-869-1817 and twitter.com/GazetteDiane.